What a glorious time of year. The leaves vary from brilliant reds to vibrant yellows, all edible items are pumpkin spice flavored and nearly every human is adorned in flannel. More importantly (depending on your age or who you are as a person), Halloween is drawing near. Who wouldn't love a holiday molded into the celebration of dressing up and getting free candy? Who doesn't love making their front yards look like spooky recreations from horror films? At a very basic level, Halloween is about having fun and acting like a buffoon. And there's nothing wrong with that! But before you start decorating and planning your costume, there's a few serious things you should consider.

This may come as a surprise (I sincerely hope it doesn't), but some costumes are really not okay to wear. If it is blatantly misrepresenting another culture based on stereotypes, then that's not cool. Not only is it offensive, but it spreads the idea that it's okay to continue those stereotypes. Don't go out in blackface. Don't go out with a poncho and sombrero. Don't go out wearing a headdress. Basically, if you think it's gonna make you look like an insensitive asshole, then don't wear it.

Know what else isn't cool? Vandalizing people's property. This includes throwing toilet paper all over the place and egging someone's house. If it would make you pissed to find on your own place, then seriously, just don't do it. It may be fun in the moment, but karma will whip around and nip you in the rear. Also, why waste money on toilet paper and eggs? Students can hardly afford textbooks as is, so don't go shitting away your bucks on bad jokes!

Now, I will remind you of a very simple yet imperative rule: Costumes do not mean consent. I repeat: Costumes do not mean consent. If you see an individual dressed in any sort of revealing way, leave them be! They are not dressed for your pleasure. They do not want your creepy hands to feel them up. Instead, give them a polite compliment ("Hey! You look great!" or "Sick costume, dude!") and walk away. Wow! That's so easy! It's almost as if it takes less effort to be a decent human!

So to recap: don't dress offensively, don't vandalize people's property and don't be a creep. Now go and binge on candy until you can't see straight!